Systems and methods for ultra low dose CT fluoroscopy

ABSTRACT

According to at least one aspect, a method for computed tomography (CT) fluoroscopy can include acquiring a plurality of pairs of projections of an interventional device using CT fluoroscopy. Each pair of the projections can be obtained at a predetermined first angular separation greater than a second angular separation used for a full dose CT scan of a target object, by rotating a gantry of a CT scanner. The method can include identifying a position of the interventional device in real time for each pair of the projections, using back-projection of images of the interventional device from the respective pair of projections. The method can include superimposing an image of the interventional device on a 3-D image of an anatomical region at an identified position of the interventional device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/831,051, filed Dec. 4, 2017, which claims the benefit of and priorityto U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/558,218, filed Sep. 13, 2017,both of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of computedtomography (CT), including but not limited to methods and systems forultra-low dose CT fluoroscopy.

CT fluoroscopy is an invaluable tool for use during CT-guidedinterventions such as biopsy, drainage, and ablations. In many centers,CT-fluoroscopy is the dominant modality used to guide non-vascularinterventions in the chest, abdomen, pelvis, and musculoskeletal system.Most modern CT scanners are capable of performing CT fluoroscopicimaging procedures. For instance, a CT scanner can be programmed toperform CT fluoroscopy data acquisition. There are likely severalhundred thousand related procedures performed in the United States perannum, and potentially millions worldwide.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to at least one aspect, a method for computed tomography (CT)fluoroscopy can include acquiring a plurality of pairs of projections ofan interventional device for a target object using CT fluoroscopy, byrotating a gantry of a CT scanner. Each pair of the projections can beobtained at a predetermined first angular separation that is greaterthan a second angular separation used for a full dose CT scan of atarget object. The full dose CT scan can have a number of acquiredprojections per gantry rotation being at least two times higher thanthat from the acquisition of the pairs projections of the interventionaldevice. The method can include identifying a position of theinterventional device in real time for each pair of the projections,using back-projection of images of the interventional device from therespective pair of projections. The method can include forming at leastone two dimensional (2-D) or three dimensional (3-D) image of theinterventional device using the plurality of pairs of projections andthe identified positions of the interventional device. The method caninclude superimposing the at least one 2-D or 3-D image of theinterventional device on a 2-D or 3-D CT image of the target object toproduce a feedback image indicative of at least one of the identifiedpositions of the interventional device in real time. The method caninclude displaying the feedback image for use to determine a position orto guide movement of the interventional device relative to the targetobject.

The full dose CT scan can use, or can be defined based on, a diagnosticdose level to achieve a predetermined signal to noise ratio (SNR) forthe 2-D or 3-D CT image of the target object. The method can furtherinclude placing one or more fiducials within a region during the fulldose CT scan and when acquiring the plurality of pairs of projections.The method can further include acquiring a 2-D or 3-D CT image of thetarget object using the full dose CT scan, prior to acquiring theplurality of pairs of projections of the interventional device. Thetarget object can include at least one of a tumor, a duct, a lesion, amusculoskeletal structure, an organ, or a vessel. The 2-D or 3-D CTimage of the target object can include a CT angiogram or an image of atleast one of a tumor, vessel, duct, a lesion, an musculoskeletalstructure, or an organ. The method can include generating the 2-D or 3-DCT image of the target object by incorporating at least one of avascular image of a scanned region, a non-vascular image of the scannedregion, a normal CT image of the scanned region. The method can includeacquiring one or more 2-D or 3-D CT images of the target object over afull or partial respiratory cycle of a subject, at two extremes of arespiratory cycle of a subject, using the full dose CT scan over a timeperiod of three to four seconds, or without respiratory suspension. Themethod can include determining positions of one or more fiducials duringat least part of a respiratory cycle of a subject, using the one or more2-D or 3-D CT images.

The method can include presenting the feedback image to a user in aformat configured for at least one of stereoscopic viewing,cross-sectional viewing, fluoroscopic viewing, continuous mode viewing,or user-controlled image transition. The method can include presentingthe feedback image to a user to include one or more of multiple views orCT slices of the feedback image, a view or a CT slice of the feedbackimage along a plane aligned with the interventional device, anindication of a distance relating the interventional device and thetarget device, an indication of previous positions of the interventionaldevice, or navigational guidance or hint for moving the interventionaldevice. The method can include acquiring each of the plurality of pairsof projections of the interventional device simultaneously using twox-ray source-detector pairs. The method can include configuring theacquisition of the plurality of pairs of projections of theinterventional device as an acquisition of projections according to a CTscan dose reduction factor, compared to the full dose scan, comprising avalue from a range of 2 to 492.

The interventional device can include a needle, probe, catheter, stent,balloon, forceps, internal anatomic structure, musculoskeletalstructure, wire, internal orthopedic device, or shunt. Identifying theposition of the interventional device using the back-projection caninclude locating an intersection of the back-projection. Forming the atleast one 2-D or 3-D image of the interventional device can includeusing at least one of high pass filtering or thresholding. Forming theat least one 2-D or 3-D image of the interventional device can includeusing a set of time resolved images of the interventional device.Forming at least one 2-D or 3-D image of the interventional device caninclude using at least one of high pass filtering, image segmentation,thresholding, or subtraction of a projection associated with the fulldose CT scan from a projection of the interventional device.

The method can include selecting, from a plurality of images of thetarget object, the 2-D or 3-D CT image of the target object on which tosuperimpose the at least one 2-D or 3-D image of the interventionaldevice, according to one or more positions of one or more fiducialsdetermined during at least part of a respiratory cycle of a subject. Themethod can include acquiring the plurality of pairs of projections whilethe gantry of the CT scanner is continuously rotated in a samedirection. Superimposing the at least one 2-D or 3-D image on a 2-D or3-D CT image of the target can include superimposing an endofluoroscopyimage of the interventional/vascular device on an image of a vasculartarget object or a vascular road map. The image of the vascular targetcan be an image (e.g., pre-scanned or previously acquired image)obtained from higher doses of radiation than that for the image of theinterventional/vascular device, or a composite image that can beconstructed from repeated samples during the fluoroscopy procedure.

The method can include acquiring a further one or more 2-D or 3-D CTimages of the target object without interrupting the acquisition of theplurality of pairs of projections of the interventional device. Themethod can further include acquiring a second plurality of pairs ofprojections of the interventional device using CT fluoroscopy, inresponse to the acquisition of the further one or more 2-D or 3-D CTimages of the target object. The method can include increasing a signalto noise ratio (SNR) of the 2-D or 3-D CT image of the target objectacquired prior to acquiring the plurality of pairs of projections of theinterventional device, by registering the 2-D or 3-D CT image of thetarget object with one or more additional images of the target object.The method can include acquiring a further one or more 2-D or 3-D CTimages of the target object while interrupting the CT fluoroscopy,responsive to detecting a movement of the target object that isnon-respiratory or greater than a predefined movement threshold. Themethod can include acquiring a second plurality of pairs of projectionsof the interventional device using CT fluoroscopy, in response to theacquisition of the further one or more 2-D or 3-D CT images of thetarget. The method can include superimposing an updated 2-D or 3-D imageformed of the interventional device, on a previously acquired 2-D or 3-Dimage of the target object, to produce an updated feedback image. Themethod can include rotating the feedback image for 2-D or 3-Dvisualization of at least one of the interventional device or the targetobject.

The method can include pulsing an X-ray source to perform the full doseCT scan and to acquire the plurality of pairs of projections of theinterventional device using CT fluoroscopy. Acquiring the plurality ofpairs of projections can include acquiring a plurality of subsets of twoor more projections. The method can include acquiring the plurality ofprojections of the interventional device within a 50 degree angularrotation of the gantry of the CT scanner.

According to at least one aspect, a method for computed tomography (CT)fluoroscopy can include acquiring, by rotating an gantry of a CT scannerand using CT fluoroscopy, a plurality of projection images of aninterventional device within a region of interest (ROI) at a first rateof angular projections per gantry rotation that is at least two timessmaller than a second rate of angular projections per gantry rotationused for one or more full dose CT scans. The method can includeidentifying, for each of two or more projection images among theplurality of projection images, a corresponding image region indicativeof the interventional device in each of the two or more projectionimages. The method can include determining, for the two or moreprojection images, a corresponding position of the interventional devicein a three-dimensional (3-D) space associated with the ROI, using anintersection of representations of the corresponding image regionsindicative of the interventional device when back projected into the 3-Dspace. The method can include superimposing, for the two or moreprojection images, a corresponding 2-D or 3-D image of theinterventional device on a 2-D or 3-D CT image of the ROI according tothe corresponding determined position of the interventional device toproduce a 2-D or 3-D image illustrating a location of the interventionaldevice relative to a target region within the ROI over time. The one ormore 2-D or 3-D CT images of the ROI can be generated using projectiondata of the one or more full dose CT scans. The method can includedisplaying the produced 2-D or 3-D image for use to determine a positionor to guide movement of the interventional device relative to the targetregion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a rotational x-ray system, according toinventive concepts of this disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for four-dimensional (4D)low dose computed tomography (CT) fluoroscopy, according to inventiveconcepts of this disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a diagram illustrating an example configuration of pulsingfor a full dose scan and an ultra-low dose CT fluoroscopy (ULD-CTF)scan, according to inventive concepts of this disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating identification of the position of aninterventional device using a pair of acquired projections, according toinventive concepts of this disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows example display options for displaying feedback images,according to example embodiments of the current disclosure;

FIGS. 6A-6C show examples of CT images generated as part of anexperimental CT fluoroscopy procedure performed on a live pig andillustrating progressive advancement of a needle toward a target,according to inventive concepts of the current disclosure;

FIGS. 7A and 7B show images illustration experimental results for fulldose CCT and ULD-CTF, according to inventive concepts of the currentdisclosure;

FIG. 8 shows a chart illustrating ULD-CTF reconstruction accuracy as afunction of milliamperage;

FIGS. 9A and 9B show lung images with different respiratory states;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an interleavedfluoroscopy scan that can be used to generate a CT 3D image of a targetobject; and

FIG. 11 shows a diagram illustrating an arrangement of twodetector-source pairs of a CT scanner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Computed tomography (CT) guided interventions are a mainstay ofinterventional radiology practices. Many important procedures areperformed using CT guidance including biopsies, placement of drainagetubes and catheters, tumor ablation, musculoskeletal interventions, andmany others. CT guided interventions allow for determination ofappropriate puncture sites, direction of insertion of interventionaldevice (e.g., needle), and placement of interventional device after eachadjustment.

CT guided interventions can be performed using conventional CT (CCT) orCT fluoroscopy (CTF). When using CCT, a CT scanner usually performs fulldose axial or helical scanning with the resulting scans having limitedz-axis coverage. As used herein, a full dose scan refers to a CT scanusing the conventional number of projection angles (typically 984) withsufficient dose to delineate a target of interest. The full dosescanning presents serious health risks for operators (e.g., physiciansand/or health care practitioners) involved in the CCT procedures due tothe potential cumulative radiation dosage acquired by these individualsover time. To mitigate such risks, during CCT procedures, operators makeadjustments to the position of the interventional device and then stepout of the room during scanning, repositioning based on the CT images,or rescanning. These steps of adjusting the interventional device,leaving the room, scanning the patient to evaluate the placement of theinterventional device are repeated until the interventional devicereaches a desired target. This approach makes the intervention procedurelong, inconvenient and tedious for both the operator and the physician.For instance, the longer the intervention procedure is, the larger maybe the sedation dose used and the more likely the patient will moveadding more complexity and inaccuracy to the process of tracking theplacement of the intervention device after successive adjustments. Inaddition, the longer the needle is inserted in the patient, the morelikely certain complications are to arise such as infection, air leak,bile leak, and bleeding.

For CT fluoroscopy (CTF), CT scanners employ helical scanning and canacquire projections associated with several contiguous z-axis scanlocations. Also, CTF is generally performed at the lowest possiblemilliamperage (mA) to visualize the target, critical anatomy, and theinterventional device in an attempt to decrease radiation exposure tothe patient and operator. This is usually approximately 20 mA in thechest in which most targets are high contrast as compared with thebackground because of surrounding air. Much higher doses are often usedfor the abdomen due to lower contrast differences between the target andbackground tissue. Typical mAs in the abdomen run from 40 to 200. InCTF, CT projections can be acquired either continuously or in a seriesof intermittent acquisitions between adjustments of the interventionaldevice. For instance, the CT projections can be acquired responsive toactivating a switch or a foot pedal. In general, operators remain in theroom during CTF scanning and CTF images are displayed immediately afteracquisition of CT projections. Regardless of the structure being imagedand targeted, typical CT fluoroscopic images are of very low quality,and the target and intervening critical structures can be difficult tovisualize, thus decreasing confidence during interventional procedures.Even with the reduced milliamperage, e.g., compared to CCT, CTF-basedinterventional procedures still present a health risk for patients andoperators who can accumulate a substantial radiation dose from severalprocedures over time.

There are several advantages of CTF over CCT. Because of theinefficiencies posed by operators walking in and out of the room aftereach position adjustment of the interventional device during CCT-basedinterventional procedures, fewer incremental adjustments are possiblewhen using CCT. The relatively low number of possible incrementaladjustment can lead operators to perform relatively large positionadjustments or more extensive “blind” movements (e.g., without imagingguidance) of the interventional device. By way of contrast, CTF-basedinterventional procedures can be performed using near real-time CT-basedguidance. Considering the relatively low milliamperage (e.g., comparedto CCT) and the ease of use (e.g., operator, CTF seems to have thepotential to substantially decrease procedure time, sedationrequirements, costs, and the risk of potential complications. However,despite these advantages, the use of CTF has been largely abandoned inmany CT imaging centers due to concerns over operators' (e.g.,physicians, nurses, radiology technicians, or other healthcarepractitioners involved in interventional procedures) safety due toradiation exposure—a particular problem in busy interventionalpractices.

In fact, in CCT-based and CTF-based interventional procedures, CTscanners usually use 984 separate projections to reconstruct compositeCT images. This large number of projections per reconstructed imageresults in far more radiation (to patients and operators) than necessaryto detect and localize high contrast interventional devices (e.g.,needles, drainage tubes, catheters, probes, shunts, wire, stent,balloon, forceps, internal orthopedic device, or other interventionaldevices). Conventional CTF can take a series of conventional filteredback projection (FBP) images of the target and the interventionaldevice, for example, at a rate equal to the gantry rotation speed. Assuch, the position of the interventional device is typically updated at2 to 3 times per second. Due to the high attenuation of interventionaldevices like needles, the FBP reconstructions show significantreconstruction artifacts such as beam hardening. The accuracy of theposition of the interventional device is also limited to the slicethickness of the reconstructed CT image.

In the current disclosure, ultra-low dose CT fluoroscopy technique thatcan reduce the radiation dose in CT fluoroscopy typically by asubstantial factor (e.g., a factor between 2 and 500) compared to fulldose CTF scanning. For example, the new fluoroscopy technique can enableperformance of a whole radiology interventional procedure with less dosethan that of a chest X-ray. The new fluoroscopy technique is sometimesreferred as ultra-low dose CTF (ULD-CTF). The new fluoroscopy techniquecan be implemented, e.g., as a new mode of operation or process, oncertain CT scanners.

The ULD-CTF technique is based on the realization that it is notnecessary to use full doses to image high contrast objects like needlesor other interventional devices. The ULD-CTF technique can make use of afraction of the available projections during a single gantry rotation todetect the interventional device, therefore, resulting in radiationdoses up to 500 times lower than radiation doses for conventional CTFscanning. For instance, when employing the ULD-CTF technique, a CTscanner can use a pair (or more generally, two or more) of CT projectionimages associated with different projection angles to reconstruct aposition, an orientation, a shape, or a combination thereof of theinterventional device. An angular difference of 90 degrees between theprojection angles can allow for relatively high accuracy (e.g., comparedto some other angular differences). However, angular difference (orangular separation) smaller than or larger than 90 degrees can also beused between each pair of (or consecutive pairs of the two or more)angular projections. In general, the angular separation can be greaterthan 0 degree and smaller than 180 degrees. A processor associated withthe CT scanner can isolate (or identify) the interventional device inboth CT projection images, and determine the position of theinterventional device within 3-D volume space using the pair of CTprojection images. The processor can overlay (or superimpose) arepresentation (or an image) of the interventional device on apreviously acquired full dose CT 2-D or 3-D image of the target,according to the determined position of the interventional device in the3-D volume space. The processor may apply motion correction schemes (ortechniques) to the full dose CT 2-D or 3-D image(s) of the target toaccount for patient motion such as respiratory motion.

The processor can generate, in real time, a sequence of 2-D or 3-Dimages showing the placement of the interventional device relative tothe target as the operator makes adjustments to the interventionaldevice position. The ULD-CTF techniques described herein can allow for4-D ULD-CTF with a time sequence of 3-D CT images showing both thetarget and the interventional device as output, or can allow for 3-DULD-CTF with a time sequence of 2-D CT images of the target and theinterventional device as output. As the x-ray source-detector pair ofthe x-ray scanner (or x-ray system) rotates, each pair of projectionsseparated by some angle of, e.g., 5 to 175 degrees or 10 170 degrees, 30to 150 degrees, can provide enough angular resolution to fully image theinterventional device using backprojection of representations of theinterventional device image in the two projections onto a previouslyacquired 2-D or 3-D image of the target. As the x-ray source-detectorpair rotates, advancing pairs of projections or additional gantryrotation points are used to update (or track) the interventional deviceposition in real time.

For example, in coronary or angiographic procedures, arterial injectionscan be performed using an interventional device using the methods andsystems described herein. Catheterization is an example. Angiographicacquisition or scans of an interventional device can be outside of theheart where there is no cardiac motion for example, where there may berespiratory motion. The ULD-CTF technique can be used to generate aroadmap for the intervention procedure as well as allow for ongoingmotion compensation. To obtain the roadmap, a breath-hold mode can forexample be employed where sequential gantry revolutions are gated andinterleaved to provide a full CT range of angles for reconstruction. Thereconstruction can used filtered back projection (FBP) reconstruction attwo phases of respiratory motion for instance, or a different method ofreconstruction. This can be performed during an extended intra-arterial(IA) injection. The fluoroscopy technique can be used to performreconstruction of the interventional device in real time, and tosuperimpose image(s) of the interventional device on a motion correctedcoronary angiogram using a motion model. A motion model can be employed,for instance with scans of the target object at two extremes ofrespiratory motion, for motion correction. Mask (e.g., no contrast)acquisitions can be done at extremes of respiratory position so thatregistered mask subtraction can be done during the fill acquisition. Forintravenous (IV) examinations, the fill acquisition can continue foraround 20 seconds or some other suitable time periods. Forintra-arterial examinations, the fill sequence can be on the order of 5seconds or some other suitable time periods.

FBP refers to an analytic reconstruction algorithm that applies aconvolution filter to remove blurring, and is used in cross-sectionalimage reconstruction. FBP utilizes simultaneous equations of ray sumstaken at differing angles of a sine wave to compute the values ofattenuation coefficients within a cross section. FBP is achieved via analgorithm of mathematical equations that can be solved by a highcapacity computer. The attenuated profile or projection producedrepresented by a target anatomy is stored in the memory of the computer,solved and reconstructed. Each pixel (picture element) corresponds tothe voxel (volume element) of the image. In some embodiments of thepresent methods and systems, FBP, adaptive statistical iterativereconstruction (ASIR), and/or model-based iterative reconstruction(MBIR) are not used.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of a rotational X-raysystem 100, according to inventive concepts of this disclosure. In briefoverview, and by way of a non-limiting example, the rotational X-raysystem 100 can include a CT scanner 102, a table 104 for accommodating apatient, a control system 106, one or more processors 108, a displaydevice 110, an operator console 112, and/or a storage device 114.

The CT scanner 102 can for instance include a cavity 116, a gantry 118mechanically coupled to an X-ray source assembly 120 on one of its endsand an X-ray detector array assembly 122 at its other end. The table 104can slide toward and away from the CT scanner 102. In particular, thetable 104 (supporting a subject or a patient) can slide into the cavity116. The gantry 118 can rotate around a horizontal axis 10 of the cavity116. As the gantry 118 rotates around the axis 10, the X-ray sourceassembly 120 and the X-ray detector array assembly 122 can movesynchronously along a circular path 20 around the cavity 116. At anypoint in time, the x-ray source assembly 120 and the X-ray detectorarray assembly 122 can be aligned along a diameter of the circular path20. As the gantry 118 rotates, the orientation (or angle α) between thediameter of the circular path 20 along which the X-ray source assembly120 and the X-ray detector array assembly 122 are aligned and areference orientation changes.

The rotations of the gantry 118 around the axis 10 can enable the x-raysource assembly 120 and the X-ray detector array assembly 122 to beoriented in different positions and angles (angle α) around the patientdisposed on the table 104, while enabling a physician to performprocedures on to the patient. The x-ray source assembly 120 can emit abeam of x-rays which are directed at detector array assembly 122. Bothassemblies 124 and 126 can be aligned and directed inward to the axis10. The center ray of the emitted beam may pass through the center ofthe cavity 116. The emitted beam (or the center ray thereof) can berotated about the center of the cavity 116 around the axis 10 during theacquisition of x-ray data from a subject (e.g., patient) placed on thetable 104.

The beam of x-rays emitted by the x-ray source assembly 120 can impinge,e.g., after passing through the subject, on the detector array assembly122. The detector array assembly 122 can include a two-dimensional arrayof detector elements. Each detector element produces an electricalsignal that represents the intensity of an impinging X-ray and hence theattenuation of the X-ray as it passes through the subject. During ascan, control system 106 can cause the x-ray source assembly 120 and thedetector array assembly 122 to rotate about the center of the cavity 116to acquire X-ray attenuation projection data from different angles α.The detector array assembly 122 can be configured to acquire a number ofprojections, or views, per second which can be the limiting factor thatdetermines how many views can be acquired for a prescribed scan path andspeed.

The control system 106 can control the rotation of the assemblies 120and 122 and the operation of the X-ray source associated with the X-raysource assembly 122. The control system 106 can include an X-raycontroller (not shown in FIG. 1) that can provide power and timingsignals to the X-ray source assembly 120. The x-ray controller can pulseon the x-ray source assembly 120 only at a selected subset of anglesamong the projections angles used in a full dose scanning. The controlsystem 106 can include a data acquisition system (not shown in FIG. 1)that can sample data from the detector elements of the detector arrayassembly 122, and pass the data to the one or more processors 108. Thecontrol system 106 can also include a gantry motor controller (not shownin FIG. 1), e.g., for causing the gantry to rotate around the axis 10.The gantry motor controller can receive motion commands from the one ormore processors 108 and provide power to the gantry 118 responsive tosuch commands.

The gantry 118, the X-ray source assembly 120, the detector arrayassembly 122, the table 104, and/or the control system 106 can be viewedas forming the CT or X-ray scanner device 102. The one or moreprocessors 108, the display device 110, the operator console 112, and/orthe storage device 114 can be integrated within the CT or X-ray scanner102, integrated within a computing device communicatively coupled to theCT or X-ray scanner, or a combination thereof. The one or moreprocessors 108 can execute computer code instructions to cause CT dataacquisition, generate CT images based on CT acquisition data, causedisplay of generated CT images, store generated images or CT acquisitiondata in the storage device 114, or a combination thereof. The computercode instructions can include executable instructions associated withvarious CT data acquisition modes. The one or more processors 108 canreceive an indication a CT data acquisition mode from the operatorconsole 112, and execute the corresponding executable instructions.

The one or more processors 108 can receive digitized X-ray data from thecontrol system 106 and perform image reconstruction according to themethods of the present disclosure. The one or more processors 108 cancause the reconstructed CT images to be displayed on the display device110 or stored on the storage device 114. The one or more processors 108can include a digital a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor,a digital signal processor (DSP), an image processor, anapplication-specific instruction set processor (ASIP), a graphicsprocessing unit (GPU), a multi-core processor, or a combination thereof.

The one or more processors 108 can receive commands and/or scanningparameters from an operator via the operator console 112. The operatorconsole 112 can include keyboard, a touch screen, a pedal, othermanually operable controls, or a combination thereof. The display device110 can include a display screen for displaying CT reconstructed imagesand/or other data to the operator of the CT or X-ray scanner. While FIG.1 shows the CT or X-ray scanner 102 to include a single x-ray sourceassembly 120 and a single detector array assembly 122, the CT or X-rayscanner 102 can include two or more X-ray source-detector pairs arrangedat offset angle(s) with respect to one another. In such a setup, two ormore projections can be acquired simultaneously by the two or more x-raysource-detector pairs.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method 200 for ultra-low dosecomputed tomography fluoroscopy (ULD-CTF), according to inventiveconcepts of this disclosure. The ULD-CTF can be 4-D CTF that generates asequence of 3-D CT images, or can be a 3-D CT fluoroscopy that generatesa sequence of 2-D CT images. In brief overview, the method 200 caninclude acquiring a plurality of pairs of projections of aninterventional device using CTF (step 202), identifying a position ofthe interventional device in real time for each pair of CT projections(step 204), and forming at least one representation of theinterventional device using the plurality of pairs of projections andthe identified positions of the interventional device (step 206). Themethod 200 can also include superimposing (or overlaying) the at leastone CT image of the interventional device on a CT image of a target toproduce a feedback image (step 208) and displaying the feedback imagefor use to determine a position or guide movement of the interventionaldevice relative to the target (step 210).

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the one or more processors 108 can cause theCT or x-ray scanner to acquire, prior to acquiring the plurality ofpairs of projections, a first set of CT projections (or projectionimages) using one or more full dose CT scans of the subject (or ananatomical region thereof). The first set of CT projections can be usedto generate one or more 3-D CT images or one or more 2-D CT images ofthe an anatomical region of the subject including a target anatomicalstructure (referred to herein as target). The target object can includea tumor, a lesion, an anomaly, a musculoskeletal structure, an organ, aduct, a blood vessel, or a combination thereof. The one or moreprocessors 108 can reconstruct a sequence of 2-D images, for example, byapplying FBP to the first set of acquired CT projection images. The oneor more processors 108 can generate one or more 3-D images of theanatomical regions including the target using the reconstructed sequenceof 2-D images.

In some implementations, the first set of CT projections (prior to use,introduction, insertion, monitoring or penetration of the interventionaldevice) can be associated with at least two respiratory states of thesubject. For example, the CT scanner 102 can acquire a first subset (ofthe first set) of CT projections at a first respiratory state (e.g.,deep inhale) of the subject and a second subset (of the first set) of CTprojections at a second respiratory state (e.g., deep exhale) of thesubject. The one or more processors 108 can construct a first 3-D image(depicting a 3-D volume of the anatomical region and the target at thefirst respiratory state) using the first subset of CT projections, and asecond 3-D image (depicting a 3-D volume of the anatomical region andthe target at the second respiratory state) using the second subset ofCT projections. The one or more processors 108 can further generateadditional 3-D images corresponding to additional respiratory statesintermediate to the first and second respiratory states. The one or moreprocessors 108 can perform 3-D to 3-D registration between first andsecond 3-D images to estimate a vector field describing the elasticdeformation of the anatomical region and the target. By scaling thevector field, intermediary respiratory states in between fullinspiration and expiration can be simulated.

The full dose CT scan(s) can be defined by a diagnostic dose level andthe number of angular projections. For instance, in a full dose CT scan,the CT or X-ray scanner 102 can perform 984 projections (e.g.,corresponding to 984 angles for the x-ray source-detector pair). Ingeneral, the number of projections in a full dose CT scan can be definedbased on a minimum number of projections required to achieve adequateimage quality of the reconstructed 2-D or 3-D CT images and/or allow forreliable diagnosis by a healthcare provider. In some implementations,the full dose CT scan can use, or can be defined based on, a diagnosticdose level to achieve a predetermined signal to noise ratio (SNR) forthe 2-D or 3-D CT image of the target object. The CT or X-ray scanner102 can acquire the first set of projections associated with the fulldose CT scan over a time period of three to four seconds for instance(or any other specified time period).

The CT or X-ray scanner 102 can acquire the first set of CT projectionsfor generating one or more CT 2-D or 3-D CT images of the target objectwithout respiratory suspension. The CT or X-ray scanner 102 can acquirethe first set of CT projections for generating the one or more 2-D or3-D CT images of the target over a full or partial respiratory cycle ofthe subject. For instance, performing the full dose CT scan(s) caninclude placing one or more fiducials within a region (e.g., on the skinof the subject) scanned by the CT or X-ray scanner 102. The one or morefiducials can act as references for detecting subject movement (e.g.,respiratory movement). In particular, movement of a fiducial from one CTimage to another can be indicative of a movement of the subject or thetarget.

The one or more processors 108 can store a library of 3-D and/or 2-Dimages associated with distinct respiratory states in a memory or in thestorage device 114. The library of 3-D and/or 2-D images can includeimages associated with deep inhale, deep exhale, and intermediateinterpolations, or can include various images associated with distinctrespiratory states based on fiducials' positions.

The method 200 can include the CT or X-ray scanner 102 acquiring aplurality of pairs of projections of an interventional device using CTFand by rotating the gantry 118 of the CT or X-ray scanner 102 (step202). The interventional device can include a needle, probe, catheter,shunt, drainage tube, wire, stent, balloon, forceps, internal orthopedicdevice, or the like. Each pair of the projections can be obtained at apredetermined (or predefined) angular separation, for example, within arange of 10 to 170 degrees. In some implementations, the predetermined(or predefined) angular separation can be about 90 degrees (e.g.,between 80 and 100 degrees). In the full CT scan(s) the angularseparation between consecutive projection angles can be substantiallysmaller than the predetermined angular separation associated with eachof the plurality of pairs of projections. For instance, the full dose CTscan can include acquiring 984 projections per revolution at equal angleincrements (or adjacent angle separation) of 360/984 degree. Thepredetermined angular separation can be greater than (e.g., a multipleof) the angular separation between consecutive projection angles usedfor the full dose CT scan. As such, the total number of projectionsacquired using ULD-CTF (or at step 202) can be substantially smaller(e.g., at least by a factor of 10) than the number of CT projectionsacquired during the full dose CT scan. For instance, using a 30 degreeseparation can lead to a possible maximum number of projection anglesper gantry rotation equal to 360/30=12 (e.g., 6 projection frames perrevolution with each projection frame formed using a corresponding pairof projections) with a single plane CT scanner, in which case an overalldose reduction factor equal to 984/12=82 can be achieved. Such areduction can substantially decrease the radiation dose or exposure tothe subject and the operator performing the interventional procedure.Using a separation angle equal to 30 degrees and a revolution rate of2/sec can lead to maximum frame rate of 6 frames per revolution or 12frames per second (each frame generated using a corresponding pair ofprojections). In the acquisition of the plurality of pairs ofprojections of the interventional device, the total number of acquiredprojections can be selected or predetermined to achieve a CT scan dosereduction factor with a value ranging, for example, from 2 to 492. Forinstance, the CT scanner 102 can acquire a single pair of projections(e.g., with 90 degrees angular separation) per gantry revolution,therefore, achieving a 492 dose reduction factor. In the case where theCT or X-ray scanner 102 is a bi-plane scanner having two X-raysource-detector pairs (e.g., two X-ray source assemblies 124 and twodetector array assemblies), the CT or X-ray scanner 102 can acquire eachpair of projections of the interventional device simultaneously usingthe two X-ray source-detector pairs.

FIG. 3 depicts a representation of an example configuration of pulsingfor a full dose scan and a ULD-CTF scan, according to inventive conceptsof this disclosure. The x-axis represents the index of projectionsangles. The dashed pulses 302 can represent pulses that the X-raycontroller can apply to the X-ray source assembly 120 during the fulldose scan. As shown in FIG. 3, the X-ray or CT scanner 102 can acquire aprojection at each available projection angle. The hashed pulses 304 canrepresent pulses that the X-ray controller can apply to the X-ray sourceassembly 120 during the ULD-CTF scan. The X-ray controller or the X-raysource assembly 120 can skip N projections angles between each pair ofCTF projections, leading to a CT scan dose reduction factor equal to N.The number N can be an integer between 2 and K/2 where K is the totalnumber of projections acquired in the full dose CT scan. The X-raycontroller can select a subset of the projection angles associated withthe full dose scan for use to perform projections during the ULD-CTFprocedure. The selected subset of the projection angles can beassociated with a CT scan dose reduction factor equal to N, and caninclude pairs of projection angles with each pair separated by thepredetermined (or predefined) angular separation.

The method 200 can include identifying a position of the interventionaldevice in real time for each pair of projections (step 204). Each pairof projections can be separated by the predefined (or predetermined)angular separation, e.g., 10-170 degrees, and can provide sufficientangular resolution to fully image the interventional device (e.g.,needle or other high contrast device) using back projection of arepresentation of the interventional device image in the two projectionsonto a 2-D or a 3-D image of the anatomical region including the target.For instance, the data acquisition system can arrange the selectedsubset of projection angles used in CT fluoroscopy into pairs where eachpair of projection angles are separated by the predefined (orpredetermined) angular separation (e.g., about 90 degrees).

The one or more processors 108 can register each (or at least one) ofthe pairs of projection images to a 2-D or 3-D image associated with thefull dose scan. For instance, the one or more processors 108 canregister a pair of projection images to a 3-D image associated with arespiratory state among a library of 3-D images associated with variousrespiratory states. The one or more processors 108 can use aregistration scheme to estimate a deformation scaling factor whichmaximizes the similarity between the acquired pair of projection imagesand the 3-D image associated with a corresponding respiratory state. Theone or more processors 108 may determine the deformation scaling factorminimizing a mean squared error (MSE) using, for example, a gradientdescent approach. In some implementations, the one or more processors108 can register the pair of projection images to a 3-D image associatedwith a respective respiratory state based on the fiducials' locations inthe 3-D image and in the pair of projection images (e.g., the fiducialsare also used when acquiring the pairs of projection images). Theregistration of the pair of projection images to a 3-D image associatedwith a corresponding respiratory allows for motion correction whenconstructing a 2-D or 3D image comprising both the target and theinterventional device.

The one or more processors 108 can identify (or isolate) theinterventional device within each of the pairs of projection images. Theone or more processors 108 can identify (or isolate), within each pairof projection images, a corresponding image region representing theinterventional device. For example, the one or more processors 108 canidentify, for each of the pairs of projection images, a correspondingmask (e.g., representing the anatomical region and target, but not theinterventional device) to be subtracted from that projection image. Foreach projection image of a pair of projection images, the correspondingmask can be a 2-D projection image with a similar projection angle fromthe first set of projection images acquired during the full dosescan(s). Due to variations in the starting angle of each gantryrevolution, the one or more processors 108 may generate a mask byinterpolating two projection images acquired during the full dosescan(s) and associated with adjacent projection angles. The one or moreprocessors 108 may use the registration of the pair of projection imagesto the 3-D image to identify the proper mask(s). The one or moreprocessors 108 may also perform a sub-pixel deformable localregistration to fully remove (or mitigate) relatively small registrationerror caused by fiducials or anatomical structures. The one or moreprocessors 108 can subtract from each projection image of the pair ofprojection images the corresponding mask to isolate the image portion(in that projection image) representing the interventional device.

In some implementations, the one or more processors 108 can performsegmentation within the pair of projection images to isolate the imageregions representative of the interventional device. The one or moreprocessors 108 can employ high pass filtering and thresholding inperforming the segmentation and isolating the image regions representingthe interventional device. Isolating the interventional device (or thecorresponding image regions) within the pair of projection images caneliminate background information to emphasize or retain imageinformation indicative of the interventional device in both projectionimages.

The one or more processors 108 can apply global thresholding to the pairof projection images after isolating the image regions representing theinterventional device. The one or more processors 108 can apply atopology preserving thinning to the isolated image regions (or otherautomatic centerline computation techniques known in the art) to extract(or determine) the centerline segments of the interventional device inthe pair of projection images. In each projection image of a pair ofprojection images, a centerline segment that is equidistant from thesurface of the interventional device (or from the sides of thecorresponding image region) within that projection image is determinedby the one or more processors 108.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the identification of a position of theinterventional device using a pair of acquired projections, according toinventive concepts of this disclosure. A first projection image 402 aand a second projection image can each include a corresponding imageregion 404 a and 404 b, respectively, representing the interventionaldevice. A centerline segment 406 a of the interventional device in thefirst projection image 402 a can be determined (by the one or moreprocessors 108) based on the image region 404 a, as described above.Also, a centerline segment 406 b of the interventional device in thesecond projection image 402 b can be determined (by the one or moreprocessors) based on the image region 404 b. The 3-D volume space 408can represent a volume space associated with a 3-D image of theanatomical region and the target generated based on full dose scan data.The 3-D volume space 408 can represent a 3-D image of the anatomicalregion and the target associated with a respiratory state of thesubject.

The one or more processors 108 can back project the image regions 404 aand 404 b into the 3-D volume space 408. Back projecting the imageregion 404 a can include the one or more processors 108 back projectingthe centerline segment 406 a along a plane orthogonal to the projectionimage 402 a. Back projecting the image region 404 b can include the oneor more processors 108 back projecting the centerline segment 306 balong a plane orthogonal to the projection image 402 b. For instance,the one or more processors 108 can register each end of the centerlinesegment 406 a to a corresponding end of the centerline segment 406 b.The one or more processors 108 can determine the intersection betweenthe back projections of both centerlines 406 a and 406 b. Determiningthe intersection between the back projections of centerlines 406 a and406 b can include registering each end of the centerline segment 406 ato a corresponding end of the centerline segment 406 b, and determiningthe intersections between back projections of corresponding ends of thecenterline segment 406 a and the centerline segment 406 b.

The intersection between the back projection of the centerline segment406 a and the back projection of the centerline segment 406 b definesthe centerline segment 410 of the interventional device within the 3-Dvolume space 408. As such, the one or more processors 108 can identifythe centerline segment 410 by determining the intersection between theback projection of the centerline segment 406 a and the back projectionof the centerline segment 406 b. By identifying the centerline segment410, the one or more processors 108 in fact identify a position and anorientation of the interventional device in the 3-D volume space 408.For instance, the centerline segment 410 can define the image region 412representing the interventional device within the 3-D volume space 408.

In some implementations, the one or more processors 108 can register oneor more pixels (or blocks of pixels) of the image region 404 a to one ormore pixels (or blocks/groups of pixels) of the image region 404 b. Theone or more processors 108 can back project the pixels (or blocks/groupsof pixels) of the image regions 404 a and 404 b that are registered toone another into the 3-D volume space 308. The one or more processors108 can determine the intersections between the back projections ofpixels (or blocks of pixels) that are registered to each other withinthe 3-D volume space 308. The determined intersections represent pixels(or blocks/groups of pixels) of the interventional device within the 3-Dvolume space 308. Accordingly, the one or more processors 108 candetermine the position of the interventional device within the 3-Dvolume space 308 by determining such intersections.

The method 200 can further include the one or more processors 108registering the pair of projections images 402 a and 402B to a 3-D imageassociated with a respiratory of the subject prior to determining theposition of the interventional device. The one or more processors 108can determine positions of one or more fiducials. The one or moreprocessors 108 can back project image regions representative of afiducial within each of the pair of projection images onto various 3-Dimages associated with various corresponding respiratory states of thesubject. The one or more processors 108 can register the pair ofprojection images 402 a and 402 b to the 3-D image for which theintersection of the back projections of the fiducial (from the pair ofprojection images 402 a and 402 b) matches or overlaps with the samefiducial in that 3-D image.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the method 200 can include the one ormore processors 108 forming at least one 2-D or 3-D image of theinterventional device using the plurality of pairs of projections and/orthe identified positions of the interventional device (step 206). Theone or more processors 108 can use one or more of the isolated imageregions (e.g., image regions 404 a and 404 b) representative of theinterventional device within the acquired pairs of projection images toreconstruct at least one 2-D or 3-D image of the interventional device.The one or more processors 108 can extract one or more of the imageregions representative of the interventional device (e.g., imageregion(s) 404 a and/or 404 b) and use such image region(s) as 2-Dimage(s) of the interventional device. The one or more processors 108can reconstruct one or more 2-D or 3-D images of the interventionaldevice using the extracted image region(s), such as image region(s) 404a and/or 404 b. In some implementations, the one or more processors 108may store one or more 2-D or 3-D images of the interventional device ina database or in the storage device 114 for retrieval to overlay (orsuperimpose) on 3-D images of the anatomical region and the target. Insome implementations, forming a 2-D or 3-D image of the interventionaldevice can include selecting and/or retrieving an image of theinterventional device from the database or the storage device 114, androtating (or more generally applying a transformation to) the retrievedimage to conform with a determined orientation of the interventionaldevice in the 3-D volume space 408.

The one or more processors 108 can form at least one 2-D or 3-D image ofone or more fiducials. The one or more processors 108 can either form2-D or 3-D images including both the fiducials and the interventionaldevice, or can form separate 2-D or 3-D images for the fiducials and theinterventional device. For instance, the one or more processors 108 canform the 2-D or 3-D images of the fiducials in a similar way asdiscussed above with regard to forming an image of the interventionaldevice

The method 200 can include superimposing (or overlaying) the at leastone 2-D or 3D image of the interventional device on a 2-D or 3-D CTimage of a target object, to produce a feedback image (step 208). Thefeedback image can include the anatomical region, the target, and theinterventional device. The one or more processors 108 can overlay (orsuperimpose), for each pair of projection images (such as projectionimages 402 and 402 b), a 3-D image of the interventional device on a 3-Dimage of the anatomical region and the target registered to that pair ofprojection images, according to the determined position of theinterventional device within the 3-D image (or within the 3-D volumespace 408). The one or more processors 108 can overlay (or superimpose),for each pair of projection images (such as projection images 402 and402 b), a 2-D image of the interventional device on a 2-D image of theanatomical region and the target registered to that pair of projectionimages, according to the determined position of the interventionaldevice at step 204.

A plurality of 2-D or 3-D images of the target object (and correspondingfiducials) may be established or obtained across different phases of arespiratory and/or cardiac cycle, and can be stored in a library ofimages. As discussed above, the one or more processors 108 can matchfiducial positions in the pair of projection images (images of theinterventional device) with fiducial positions in one of the pluralityof images of the target object or determine a deformation scaling factorfor minimizing a mean squared error (MSE) to select a 2-D or 3-D imageof the target object to which the pair of projection images 402 a and402 b are registered. During the set-up scan, the CT or x-ray scanner102 can acquire three or four seconds of full dose exposure before theinterventional device (e.g., needle) placement begins. Fiducials can beplaced on the surface of the patient. These fiducials can optionally bemade from crossed needles or similar contrast objects (includinganatomic internal structures such as surgical clips, calcified vesselsor organs) so that they can be segmented in the same way that theinterventional device is segmented. The CT or X-ray scanner 102 canperform scans with free breathing so that the entire respiratory cycleis sampled. For each revolution, for instance, the one or moreprocessors 108 can reconstruct the fiducial position in 3-D. For eachrevolution, the one or more processors 108 can acquire and store acorresponding full dose 2-D or 3-D target image for each fiducialposition. For each position of the fiducials, the one or more processors108 can select the corresponding target object (or subject) image(s) onwhich to superimpose the 2-D or 3-D image of the interventional devicedepicting the real-time position of the interventional device determinedat step 204. In other words, by comparing a fiducial's position within acurrent 2-D or 3-D image of the interventional device and the fiducial'spositions within the 2-D or 3D CT images of the target object, the oneor more processors can select the appropriate 2-D or 3-D CT image of thetarget object on which to superimpose (or combine with) a current 2-D or3-D image of the interventional device. The one or more processors 108can compare fiducials' locations within consecutive 2-D or 3-D images ofthe interventional device (or back project fiducials within a 2-D or 3-Dimage of the interventional device onto a corresponding 2-D or 3-D CTimage of the target) to detect substantial (e.g., greater than athreshold value) non-respiratory subject movement. Upon such detection,the one or more processors 108 may warn the healthcare practitionerperforming the intervention procedure that that the patient/target hasmoved in between scans for instance, to prompt him to take another setup(or full dose) scan.

The one or more processors 108 can overlay the image of theinterventional device formed at step 206 on the image of the targetobject registered to the pair of projection images 402 a and 402 b.Superimposing or combining the image of the interventional device caninclude the one or more processors 108 identifying an image region(e.g., image region 412 in FIG. 4) within the image of the target objectbased on the determined position (or determined centerline segment 410)of the interventional device within that image, and modifying (orsetting) pixel values within the identified image region 412 using theimage of the interventional device. For instance, pixel values withinthe identified image region 412 can be modified or set to be equal tovalues of corresponding pixels in the image of the interventional deviceformed at step 406. Superimposing the 2-D or 3-D image of theinterventional device can include overlaying a 2-D or 3D image of theinterventional device on the image of the target object along thecenterline segment 410. Superimposing the 2-D or 3-D image of theinterventional device on the selected 2-D or 3-D CT image of the targetobject can include overlaying or inserting (e.g., by changing pixelvalues) an endofluoroscopy image of the interventional device on theimage of anatomical region and the target, for example. Theinterventional device can include a vascular device, and the targetobject can include a vascular target object or a vascular road map. Theimage of the vascular target object can be an image (e.g., pre-scannedor previously acquired or reconstructed image) obtained using full dosescanning projections, or an image that is constructed from repeatedsamples (or projections) acquired during the fluoroscopy (or ULD-CTF)procedure.

By back projecting the interventional device from a pair of projectionimages onto a 3-D image of the target and superimposing a 2-D or 3-Dimage of the interventional device on the 3-D image of the target, theone or more processors 108 can generate a feedback image that accuratelyshows the instant or real time position of the placement of theinterventional device relative to the target based on as little as apair of projections. The generation of the feedback image does notnecessarily involve performing FBP or other conventional CT imagereconstruction methods that typically require a relatively large numberof CT projections and which suffer from some image reconstructionartifacts. Also, the ULD-CTF imaging approach (e.g., by determining theposition of the interventional device and incorporating an image of theinterventional device at the determined position) described above allowsfor using the entire z-axis available on the CT scanner 102 withoutadditional CT projections or additional complexity. Using the entirez-axis allows for keeping the interventional device in view during theinterventional procedure, reconstructing images along the longitudinalaxis of the interventional device, and accurately estimating (ordetermining) the distance between a tip of the interventional device andthe target. The ULD-CTF imaging approach also eliminates beam hardeningartifacts associated with conventional reconstruction techniques, suchas FBP. With CCT, using the whole z-axis would entail performing aconventional CT scan through the same volume and performing CT imagereconstruction (e.g., using FBP). Such conventional approach would callfor a comparatively larger dose of radiation.

The method 200 can include displaying the feedback image on a displaydevice for use to determine a position of, or to guide movement of theinterventional device relative to the target (step 210). The one or moreprocessors 108 can cause the feedback image to be displayed, forexample, on the display device 110. The one or more processors 108 candisplay (or render) 2-D slices of a 3-D feedback image, or can displaythe feedback image as a 3-D image. The one or more processors 108 cancause the display device 110 to display the feedback images in at leastone of various ways. For example, the display device 110 can render asingle CT slice, or a series of CT slices, oriented in axial, coronal,or sagittal position. Considering that the entire z-axis of the CTscanner 102 can be used, the one or more processors 108 (e.g.,automatically or responsive to a selection by the operator) may causethe display device 110 to provide a view along a longitudinal axis ofthe interventional device or a short axis of the interventional device(periscope view). If the displayed image is oriented along thelongitudinal axis of the interventional device, the operator would beviewing the anatomy along the projected interventional device path. Assuch, the interventional device would be within the imaging plane (aparticular problem with CT fluoroscopy as it exists today) during theinterventional procedure. The one or more processors 108 can display thefeedback image in a format configured for at least one of continuousmode viewing, fluoroscopic viewing, user-controlled image transition,cross-sectional viewing, stereoscopic viewing, or a combination thereof.

For instance, in a continuous mode viewing, the CT scanner 102 cancontinuously acquire pairs of projections at a predefined angularseparation, and the one or more processors 108 can continuously generatea feedback image for each acquired pair of projections for instance. Theone or more processors 108 can display the sequence of generatedfeedback images or 2-D slices thereof in real time (immediately afteracquisition of each pair of CT projections) as the operator adjusts theplacement of orientation of the interventional device. In a fluoroscopicviewing mode, the operator can step on a pedal or press a button forexample, to trigger acquisition of each pair of projections and/ordisplay of corresponding generated feedback images (or 2-D slicesthereof). The one or more processors 108 and/or the display device 110may allow for user-controlled image transition. The operator may step ona pedal, press a button, tap or slide on a touch screen, or activateanother type of trigger to cause the display device 110 to transitionfrom one displayed image to another. In a cross-sectional viewing mode,the display device 110 can render cross-sectional slices of theanatomical region or the target object. In stereoscopic viewing (orrendering), the display device 110 can render the interventional deviceand the anatomical region (including the target) stereoscopically. Forexample, the one or more processors 108 can generate anaglyph stereofeedback images that can be viewed with red and blue glasses. Theoperator can use a set of bifocals with the top half being clear and thebifocal lenses are red and blue, for instance. The display device 110may display the feedback images according to a side by side stereoscopicview at slightly different angles.

FIG. 5 shows example display options for displaying feedback images,according to example embodiments of the current disclosure. The displayoptions can include a first display option 502 for rendering a view (ora CT slice) along a plane aligned with the interventional device(needle), a second display option 504 for rendering multiple views or CTslices, a third display option for rendering 506 a bull's eye, andfourth display option 508 for rendering text output. The display device110 can render a feedback image according to any combination of thedisplay options 502-508.

According to the display option 502, a processor 108 can select a sliceor a sectional view of the feedback image along a plane aligned with (orassociated with) the interventional device (e.g., needle) and thedisplay device 110 can render the selected slice or sectional view. Thedisplay device 110 may render a tip of the interventional device or thetarget object 510 with a distinct color (e.g., red, yellow, blue, orother colors) than the anatomical region shown in the selected view orslice. The display device 110 may assign different colors to the tip ofinterventional device (or a projection thereof) and the target object510. According to the display option 504, the display device 110 cansimultaneously render (or provide for rendering upon selection) variousviews, such as a 3-D view, one or more sectional views (or slices), or acombination thereof. For instance, the sectional views or slices caninclude a slice or sectional view 512 along a plane aligned with (orassociated with) the interventional device, a slice or sectional view514 down the interventional device, a slice or sectional view 516 at thetarget object 510, and/or other sectional views or slices. The targetobject 510 (e.g., a tumor, a duct, a lesion, a blood vessel, or otheranatomical structure) may be pre-selected by the operator (e.g., aphysician) and located in space for all subsequent images.

The display device 110 may display an entire slab (3D space or volume),as part of the display 502 or display option 504, with the target objectmarked by the operator on images acquired during setup (full dose)scans. In some implementations, the entire interventional procedurecould be performed using “slab view” with no actual slice datadisplayed. Such a display approach may work well in organs with lesscritical anatomy intervening between the interventional device and thetarget object. The display device 110 may continually update a CT sliceor sectional view (e.g., a slice along the longitudinal axis of theinterventional device), for example, based on new acquired ULD-CTFprojections. Such rendering approach would give the operator a CT “roadmap” of the anatomy, for example, along a plane aligned with theinterventional device. The display device 110 may allow the operator toselect a view or slice, from multiple available views, for renderingwith higher resolution or with interactive options (e.g., rotating,zooming in, zooming out, or a combination thereof). When displaying a3-D feedback image, the display device 110 can allow the operator torotate the displayed image around one or more axes, zoom in, zoom out,slide the image, or a combination thereof.

According to display option 506, the display device 110 can render a dotor mark representing the target object location and concentric circlestarget with a corresponding center representing the location of the tipof the interventional device (or a projection thereof). The concentriccircles target can illustrate visually the direction of theinterventional device relative to the location of the target object.According to the display option 508, the display device 110 can display,e.g., in real-time, updates of the distance and direction from an end ofthe interventional device (e.g., needle tip) to the target object. Thedisplay device 110 can display text indicative of the distance betweenthe tip of the interventional device and the target object, andorientation adjustments (e.g., rotation angles) to adjust the directionof the interventional device toward the target. The one or moreprocessors 108 can cause the display device 110 to update contentrendered according to any of the rendering options 502-508 in real time(e.g., immediately after a new pair of projections is acquired). Thedisplay device 110 can allow for display of one or more indications ofprevious positions of the interventional device (e.g., an image of apath traveled by the interventional device within the anatomicalregion).

The operator, such as healthcare professional performing theintervention procedure on the subject, can use the displayed feedbackimage and/or other displayed data to determine a current position of theinterventional device (e.g., with respect to the target object), or toassess or modify the path of the interventional device through thesubject. For example, the operator can use the data (e.g., slices orviews associated with the feedback image, bull's eye view, textualinformation, or a combination thereof) displayed in real time to trackand/or guide movement of the interventional device. The operator can,for example, adjust the orientation of the interventional device basedon displayed textual orientation adjustments, bull's eye view, or arendered slice image.

FIGS. 6A-6C show CT images generated as part of an experimental CTfluoroscopy procedure performed on a live pig and illustratingprogressive advancement of a needle toward a target, according toinventive concepts of the current disclosure. In one demonstrative andnon-limiting experiment, a needle was gradually inserted into an excisedpig liver. A series of 12 revolutions were used with gradual advancementof the needle before each revolution. No explicit target was insertedinto the liver. However, for simulation purposes, a virtual target (thesquare in FIGS. 6A-6C) was mathematically defined and superimposed onthe needle images to provide an example of how the fluoroscopy mode willproceed. No motion is included in this example. The fluoroscopy processprovides a series of 2-D images at 24 images per second (for 2revolutions per second). The obtained results show that the needle andtarget object can be viewed from any direction or viewedstereoscopically. In particular, FIGS. 6A-6C represents feedback imagescorresponding to distinct time instances of the ULD-CTF procedure andthey illustrate the real-time advancement of the needle towards thevirtual target (the square). For this experiment, projections wereseparated by 82 of 984 angles, and the dose reduction factor was 82.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show images illustrating experimental results for fulldose CCT and ULD-CTF, according to inventive concepts of the currentdisclosure. In the experiment, four anatomical sites (lung, kidney,spleen and liver) were imaged using conventional CTF in a series of livepigs. Imaging was performed on a 64-slice CT scanner (HD 750, GeneralElectric, Boston, Mass., USA) with 4 cm axial coverage. Fiducials wereplaced on the surface of the animal to assist in motion correction. Foreach anatomical site, a conventional helical scan was performed todefine the target volume. Then twelve revolutions were used with needleadvancement in between each revolution. The first revolution wasperformed before insertion of the needle. This was done to allowisolation of the needle via subtraction and cancellation of thefiducials, which can cause artifacts during reconstruction of theneedle.

For ULD-CTF, images were generated using just two angles per revolutionwith an angular separation of 30-90 degrees. This resulted in a dosereduction factor of approximately 984/2=492 since the full dose scansuse 984 angles. When two angles are used, the frame rate is equal to thegantry rotation frequency. A visual comparison between the proposed lowdose and the conventional full dose reconstruction is shown in FIGS. 7Aand 7B for two time frames in the lung. Slices (or view planes) alongthe needle are shown for the ULD-CTF and full-dose CCT reconstructionson the left and middle columns, respectively. Additionally, a regularCT-slice as it would be displayed by conventional CT scanners is shownon the right. The ULD-CTF images show CT slices along the needle's planewith clear visualization of the needle and the target. However, the CCTimages (center columns) show streak artifacts along the needle.

FIG. 8 shows a chart illustrating ULD-CTF reconstruction accuracy as afunction of milliamperage. The ULD-CTF reconstruction accuracy isevaluated in terms of the distance between the needle tip in ULD-CTFreconstructions and corresponding CCT reconstructions Tube currentsbetween 200 mA and 1 mA were simulated by adding artificial noise toimage sequences of a pig study acquired at 200 mA in the liver, spleenand kidney. The chart shows the needle tip accuracies for all simulatednoise levels. The results show that an average accuracy of 1.58±0.20 mmcan be achieved for radiation doses between 200 mA and 6 mA.

FIGS. 9A and 9B shows images of a lung with different respiratorystates. In FIG. 9A, no motion compensation is applied, whereas the imagein FIG. 9B is motion compensated. The hashed areas denote registrationerrors when no motion compensation is applied when reconstructing thefeedback images.

The one or more processors 108 can use the plurality of pairs ofprojections to acquire one or more 2-D or 3-D CT images of theanatomical region and/or the target object (without interrupting the CTfluoroscopy). For instance, the one or more processors 108 can generateone or more additional 2-D or 3-D CT images of the anatomical regionand/or the target object using images reconstructed based on theacquired pairs of projections during fluoroscopy (e.g., by eliminatingimage information indicative of the interventional device). However,since the fluoroscopy process uses fewer projection angles (per unittime or per revolution) as compared to the full dose scan, acquiring a2-D or 3-D CT images of the target with fewer projection angles perrevolution (compared to a full dose scan) can take a longer time togenerate.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an interleavedfluoroscopy scan that can be used to generate additional 2-D or 3-D CTimages of the target object. Suppose that a CT or x-ray scanner acquiresinterleaved exposures once every 15 angles (as compared to once everysingle angle for the full dose scan), for example, and advancing oneangle per rotation. The dose reduction factor is given by the number ofangles skipped between adjacent exposures (in this case 15). A full dosetarget scan would be acquired every 15 rotations, about 5 secondsassuming a gantry revolution rate of 3/sec. The angle corresponding to15 projections is 360*15/984=5.5 degrees. In general, the relationshipbetween the separation angle used for interventional devicereconstruction is given by angle=360*dose reduction factor/984. Sincegenerating the CT 3D image of the target object involves using a fullset of projections (e.g., 984), acquiring such full set of projectionstakes longer during fluoroscopy than during a full dose scan.

TABLE 1 dose reduction separation factor angle update time 10 3.658536593.33333333 15 5.48780488 5 20 7.31707317 6.66666667 30 10.9756098 10

Table 1 illustrates the relationship between the dose reduction factor,separation angle, and the update time. The time for a full update of thetarget image may be given by update time=dose reduction factor/3 for 3revolutions per second. As the dose reduction factor increases, theupdate time becomes longer and is probably too long for dose reductionfactors greater than twenty. If, for example, a half dose target scanproves acceptable for a certain context, the update times can be cut inhalf and larger dose reduction factors are possible.

The method 200 can include the one or more processors 108 furtheracquiring one or more 2-D or 3-D CT images of the target whileinterrupting the CT fluoroscopy, responsive to detecting a movement ofthe target that is non-respiratory or greater than a predefined movementthreshold. The one or more processors 108 can detect such movement basedon a detected movement of the fiducials that exceeds a given thresholdvalue. In response, the one or more processors 108 can prompt thehealthcare practitioner to initiate a new set-up (full dose) scan, orcan automatically start the new set-up (full dose) scan while informingthe healthcare practitioner.

If the one or more processors 108 (or the operator) detect that the onlymotion that has occurred is respiratory motion, then the target imageset (established by eliminating image information indicative of theinterventional device) can be used in conjunction with the fiducials toupdate the target image based on the ongoing fiducial reconstruction. Ifa non-respiratory shift in the subject's position is detected, thepractitioner can interrupt interventional device fluoroscopy, and the CTor x-ray scanner 102 can acquire a new set of target images over aperiod of perhaps 3-4 seconds after which interventional devicefluoroscopy (consistent with the non-respiratory shift) at low dosewould resume.

The one or more processors 108 can also improve on the 2-D or 3-D imagesof the anatomical region and/or the target object, by using signalintegration with additional image(s) of the target object. When anadditional 2-D or 3-D image of the target object is formed/generatedusing the ongoing fluoroscopic information (e.g., ULD-CTF projections),the one or more processors 108 can register and/or integrate at leastone of the 2-D or 3-D CT images of the target object obtained duringsetup/full-dose scan, with a newly acquired 2-D or 3-D CT image, toincrease the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the 2-D or 3-D images of thetarget object. In particular, the one or more processors 108 can update(e.g., using weighted averaging) the at least one of the 2-D or 3-Dimages of the target object obtained during setup, with the newly formed2-D or 3-D CT image of the target object. The one or more processors 108can superimpose a corresponding (or newly formed) 2-D or 3-D image ofthe interventional device, on the updated 2-D or 3-D CT image of thetarget object, to produce an updated feedback image.

Registration between images can be achieved by the one or moreprocessors 108 using block matching. Block matching can allow detectionof motion between corresponding regions/blocks within two images. Insome embodiments, if the detected motion(s) is smaller than a giventhreshold value, the one or more processors 108 can register the imageswith one another. In other embodiments, the one or more processors 108use a detected motion (or relative translation or shift) to performregistration. The one or more processors 108 may perform block matchingin a limited volume around the target object to increase speed. The oneor more processors 108 may also perform the registration by comparingfiducial data to determine which of the target volumes register witheach other. For instance, the one or more processors 108 can compare thelocation of fiducials within two separate images to determine whetherthe images (or volumes) register with each other. The one or moreprocessors 108 can use any of many possible registration methods.

The fluoroscopy techniques described herein can be implemented with aSiemens dual energy scanner for example. The Siemens dual energy scannerhas two sources and detectors separated by a separation angle (e.g., 90degrees). Although this would easily give two projections separated by90 degrees, for example, at the same time, a single source CT also canprovide two projections separated by 90 degrees in about 0.1 seconds. Sothere may be no real advantage to having them closer in time. However ifthe projections were at different energies, tissue intensities could becancelled making needle segmentation easier. One of the energies couldstill be used to generate the ongoing unsubtracted target scans.

The Siemens system has an advantage in that the angular separation islarge at all dose reduction factors. The dose reduction factor can bedecreased by 1.5 because of duplication of exposures by the 90 degreedetector.

FIG. 11 shows a diagram illustrating arrangement of two detector-sourcepairs of CT scanner. The first detector goes from angles values of zeroto 270. The second detector goes from 90 to 360 to give a complete dataset. The dose reduction factor is still given by the number of anglesskipped. The dose can be increased by a factor of 1.5 due to repeatedacquisitions by the two detectors at the same angles. Table 2 belowshows results illustrating the relationship between the dose reductionfactor, separation angle and update time for a proposed Siemens setup.

TABLE 2 dose reduction separation factor angle update time  6.7 90.0 2.2secs 10.0 90.0 3.3 13.3 90.0 4.4 20.0 90.0 6.7

Other potential clinical applications of the fluoroscopic techniquesdescribed herein can include orthopedic surgery (putting inscrews/k-wires, reducing fractures, reducing dislocations, stressinganatomy in real time (e.g., Flexion/extension views, stress views),swallowing evaluation, dynamic pelvic floor evaluation, endoluminalapplications such as CT bronchoscopy, colonoscopy, GI tract endoscopy,ERCP, etc., intravascular/intracardiac procedures under CT guidance(locating a catheter in any location in the body in real time),neurosurgery (including real-time neurosurgery under CT guidance such asplacement of ventricular shunts), urologic and gynecologic procedures,and/or ear, nose and throat interventions under CT guidance (includingsinus procedures, nasal septum operations, and soft tissueinterventions).

According to example embodiments, advantages of the ULD-CTF approach caninclude: 1) markedly improved z-axis coverage (e.g. 4 cm) to visualizeinterventional devices that would otherwise be “out of plane” duringconventional CT fluoroscopy, 2) reconstruction and visualization of theimage plane in the interventional device plane so that anatomic objectsin the puncture path are always visible, and 3) lack of streak artifact.Because the low dose scans are not reconstructed using conventionalfiltered back projection, there are no streak artifacts generated byhigh contrast objects such as needles.

For conventional CTF, interventional device accuracy is primarilylimited by slice thickness. Thicker slices are more likely to includethe entire interventional device within the scan volume, but volumeartifact make precise position of the interventional device within theslice less certain. For ULD-CTF, the accuracy of interventional devicelocalization is not limited by slice thickness, but rather theresolution of the projection data which is governed by image noise. Asnoise increases at very low mA, there will be a slight degradation inaccuracy. However, noise simulations indicate accuracy on the order of 2mm all the way down to 6 mA. Since CTF is typically performed between10-100 mA, a 2 mm accuracy appears to be worst possible case. Thespatial accuracy of ULD-CTF appears similar or superior to conventionalCT fluoroscopy.

Conventional CT fluoroscopy (CTF) is inherently a difficult compromisebetween interventional device/anatomy visualization and radiation dose.CTF is performed by repeatedly scanning at a single z-axis locationduring needle advancement towards a target. The only means to reduceradiation dose with CTF are decreasing the number of acquisitions(increasing “blind” needle advancements), decreasing the anatomiccoverage in the z-axis (thinner slices increase image noise and increasethe probability of the interventional device being out of plane), anddecreasing mA (reducing image quality). Each of these radiationreduction steps comes at the price of decreasing the ability to trackthe interventional device in relation to critical anatomy, thuscompromising the core function of CT fluoroscopy.

In the embodiments described in (or contemplated by) the disclosure, aCT scanning system can perform, during a setup phase, a full dose (orsetup) CT scan during which a first set of CT projections is acquired,using a conventional number of projection angles per gantry rotation,typically 984, with sufficient dose to delineate a target object (ortarget region) of interest. A processor associated with the CT scanningsystem can generate one or more 2-D or 3-D images of an anatomicalregion including the target object/region. During an ULD-CTF phase whenan interventional device is introduced or inserted in the anatomicalregion, the CT scanning system can acquire a second set of CTprojections with the number of acquired projections per gantry rotationbeing smaller, by a factor of two or more, than the conventional number(e.g., 984) of projection angles used for full dose CT scan. The secondset of CT projections may not be necessarily acquired in pairs of CTprojections, however, the processor can group (or arrange) the secondset of CT projections into pairs, triples, quadruples, or according tosubsets of two or more CT projections that are acquired at differentprojection angles.

The processor can use each subset of CT projections to determine aposition of the interventional device within the anatomical region asdiscussed with regard to FIG. 4. Specifically, the processor can backproject a representation of the interventional device (e.g., imageregion, centerline, or one or more pixels or voxels) in each of theprojections in a given subset onto a space volume associated with theanatomical region to determine the position of the interventionaldevice. In general, the processor can use two or more projections whenemploying back projection to determine the position of theinterventional device. The processor can obtain (e.g., reconstruct usingthe subset of CT projections or use an available) 2-D or 3-D image ofthe interventional device, and superimpose (or overlay) the 2-D or 3-Dimage of the interventional device on a 2-D or 3-D image, respectively,of the anatomical region generated using full dose CT scan data toobtain a 2-D or 3-D feedback image or frame, respectively, depictingboth the anatomical region with the target region and the interventionaldevice. The processor can generate a separate 2-D or 3-D feedback imageor frame for each subset of ULD-CTF projections. The generated 2-D or3-D feedback images or frames can illustrate the movement of theinterventional device over time relative to the target object/region.The processor can display the generated 2-D or 3-D feedback images orframes (or sectional views or other data thereof) to an operator of theinterventional device to help for guiding or adjusting movement of theinterventional device, for example, toward the target object/region. Itis to be appreciated that as use herein, pairs of projectionscontemplate subsets of two or more projections.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: generating, using projectiondata of full dose CT scans at two states of a respiratory cycle of thesubject, a pair of two-dimensional (2-D) or three-dimensional (3-D) CTimages of an anatomical region of a subject; simulating, using the pairof 2-D or 3-D CT images of the anatomical region, additional 2-D or 3-DCT images of the anatomical region associated with additional states ofthe respiratory cycle of the subject, the generated and simulated 2-D or3-D CT images forming a plurality of 2-D or 3-D CT images of theanatomical region; acquiring, by rotating a gantry of a CT scanner, aplurality of projection images of an interventional device, penetratingthe anatomical region, at a first rate of angular projections per gantryrotation that is at least two times smaller than a second rate ofangular projections per gantry rotation used for the full dose CT scans,the plurality of projection images of the interventional device arrangedinto a plurality of groups of two or more projection images, each groupof two or more projection images acquired at a predetermined angularseparation; registering each group of the plurality of groups of two ormore projection images, to a corresponding 2-D or 3-D CT image of theanatomical region of the plurality of 2-D or 3-D CT images of theanatomical region; identifying, for each group of the plurality ofgroups of two or more projection images, corresponding image regionsindicative of the interventional device, each image region indicative ofthe interventional device in a respective projection image of the groupof two or more projection images; determining, for each group of two ormore projection images, a corresponding position and orientation of theinterventional device in a 3-D space associated with the anatomicalregion, using an intersection of representations of the correspondingimage regions indicative of the interventional device when backprojected into the 3-D space; superimposing, for each group of two ormore projection images, a 2-D or 3-D image of the interventional deviceon the corresponding 2-D or 3-D CT image of the anatomical region towhich the group of two or more projection images is registered,according to the corresponding position and orientation of theinterventional device to produce a corresponding 2-D or 3-D output imageillustrating a location of the interventional device relative to atarget region within the anatomical region at a time of acquisition ofthe group of projection images; and displaying one or more 2-D or 3-Doutput images for use to determine a position or to guide movement ofthe interventional device relative to the target region.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein a full dose CT scan uses a diagnostic dose level toachieve a predetermined signal to noise ratio (SNR) for the 2-D or 3-DCT image of the anatomical region.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising placing one or more fiducials at a region associated with theanatomical region during the full dose CT scans and when acquiring theplurality of projection images.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein thetarget region includes at least one of a tumor, a lesion, amusculoskeletal structure, an organ, a duct, or a vessel.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein the pair of 2-D or 3-D CT images of the anatomicalregion includes a CT angiogram or an image of at least one of: a tumor,a duct, a vessel, a lesion, a musculoskeletal structure, or an organ. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein generating the pair of 2-D or 3-D CTimages of the anatomical region includes incorporating at least one of avascular image of a scanned region, a non-vascular image of the scannedregion, or a normal CT image of the scanned region.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising presenting the one or more 2-D or 3-D outputimage to a user in a format configured for at least one of: stereoscopicviewing, cross-sectional viewing, fluoroscopic viewing, continuous modeviewing, or user-controlled image transition.
 8. The method of claim 1,further comprising presenting the one or more 2-D or 3-D output imagesto a user to include at least one of: multiple views or CT slices of theone or more 2-D or 3-D output images, a view or a CT slice of the one ormore 2-D or 3-D output images along a plane aligned with theinterventional device, an indication of a distance relating theinterventional device and the target region, an indication of previouspositions of the interventional device, or navigational guidance or hintfor moving the interventional device.
 9. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising determining positions of one or more fiducials during therespiratory cycle of the subject, using the plurality of 2-D or 3-D CTimages of the anatomical region.
 10. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising configuring the acquisition of the plurality of projectionimages of the interventional device as an acquisition of projectionsaccording to a CT scan dose reduction factor, compared to the full doseCT scans, comprising a value from a range of 2 to
 492. 11. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising acquiring the plurality of projection imagesof the interventional device using two or more x-ray source-detectorpairs, the two or more x-ray source-detector pairs simultaneouslyacquiring, in association with each rotation of the gantry of the CTscanner, a corresponding group of projections of the interventionaldevice.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the interventional devicecomprises a needle, wire, probe, catheter, stent, balloon, forceps, aninternal anatomic structure, internal orthopedic device, or shunt. 13.The method of claim 1, further comprising forming at least one 2-D or3-D image of the interventional device using at least one of high passfiltering, image segmentation, thresholding, or subtraction of a firstprojection associated with the full dose CT scans from a secondprojection of the interventional device.
 14. The method of claim 1,further comprising forming at least one 3D image of the interventionaldevice using a set of time resolved images of the interventional device.15. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting, from theplurality of 2-D or 3-D CT images of the anatomical region, the 2-D or3-D CT image of the anatomical region on which to superimpose thecorresponding 2-D or 3-D image of the interventional device, accordingto one or more positions of one or more fiducials determined during atleast part of a respiratory cycle of a subject.
 16. The method of claim1, further comprising acquiring the plurality of projection images ofthe interventional device while the gantry of the CT scanner iscontinuously rotated in a same direction.
 17. The method of claim 1,wherein projection angles for each gantry rotation are arranged at anoffset angle with respect to projection angles for a preceding orsubsequent gantry rotation, and the method further comprising acquiringa further one or more 2-D or 3-D CT images of the anatomical regionwithout interrupting the acquisition of the plurality of projectionimages of the interventional device.
 18. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising increasing a signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the pair 2-D or3-D CT images of the anatomical region generated using projection dataof the full dose CT scans, by registering the 2-D or 3-D CT image of theanatomical region with one or more additional images of the anatomicalregion.
 19. The method of claim 1, further comprising acquiring afurther one or more 2-D or 3-D CT images of the anatomical region whileinterrupting the acquisition of the plurality of projection images ofthe interventional device, responsive to detecting a movement of thetarget region that is non-respiratory or greater than a predefinedmovement threshold.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprisingacquiring a second plurality of projection images of the interventionaldevice, in response to the acquisition of the further one or more 2-D or3-D CT images of the anatomical region.
 21. The method of claim 1,further comprising rotating the one or more 2D or 3D output images for2-D or 3-D visualizations of at least one of the interventional deviceor the target region.
 22. The method of claim 1, further comprisingpulsing an x-ray source to acquire the plurality of projection images ofthe interventional device.
 23. The method of claim 1, further comprisingacquiring the plurality of projection images of the interventionaldevice within a 50 degree angular rotation of the gantry of the CTscanner.
 24. A computed tomography (CT) scanner system, the CT scannersystem comprising: a rotating gantry including at least one x-raysource-detector pair; a processor; and a memory storing computerexecutable instructions thereon, the computer executable instructionswhen executed by the processor cause the processor to: generate, usingprojection data of full dose CT scans at two states of a respiratorycycle of the subject, a pair of two-dimensional (2-D) orthree-dimensional (3-D) CT images of an anatomical region of a subject;simulate, using the pair of 2-D or 3-D CT images of the anatomicalregion, additional 2-D or 3-D CT images of the anatomical regionassociated with additional states of the respiratory cycle of thesubject, the generated and simulated 2-D or 3-D CT images forming aplurality of 2-D or 3-D CT images of the anatomical region; acquire, byrotating the gantry, a plurality of projection images of theinterventional device, penetrating an anatomical region of theanatomical region of the subject, at a first rate of angular projectionsper gantry rotation that is at least two times smaller than a secondrate of angular projections per gantry rotation used for the full doseCT scans, the plurality of projection images of the interventionaldevice arranged into a plurality of groups of two or more projectionimages, each group of two or more projection images acquired at apredetermined angular separation; register each group of two or moreprojection images, of the plurality of groups of two or more projectionimages, to a corresponding 2-D or 3-D CT image of the anatomical regionof the plurality of 2-D or 3-D CT images of the anatomical region;identify, for each group of the plurality of groups of two or moreprojection images, corresponding image regions indicative of theinterventional device, each image region indicative of theinterventional device in a respective projection image of the group oftwo or more projection images; determine, for each group of two or moreprojection images, a corresponding position and orientation of theinterventional device in a 3-D space associated with the anatomicalregion, using an intersection of representations of the correspondingimage regions indicative of the interventional device when backprojected into the 3-D space; superimpose, for each group of two or moreprojection images, a corresponding 2-D or 3-D image of theinterventional device on the corresponding 2-D or 3-D CT image of theanatomical region to which the group of two or more projection images isregistered, according to the corresponding position and orientation ofthe interventional device to produce a corresponding 2-D or 3-D outputimage illustrating a location of the interventional device relative to atarget region within the anatomical region at a time of acquisition ofthe group of two or more projection images; and display one or more 2-Dor 3-D output images for use to determine a position or to guidemovement of the interventional device relative to the target region.